Pelosi Remarks at Press Conference on Health Care Reform for the Mi...(you are saying and we promise you that w...),Health

"With that in mind, I will be pleased to take any questions you have. Any questions for our guests or the leadership?"

Health Care Reform for the Middle Class Press Conference Participants

Phil Feaster -- Phil is a senior living in Fort Washington, Maryland. He is retired from the trucking industry and needs medications for high blood pressure and diabetes. Every year he falls into the doughnut hole in June and does not come out. Therefore, he pays $85 per month in premiums for half of the year and receives no benefits while paying 100% for his prescriptions. His monthly cost comes out to roughly $700.

Phil would benefit from this draft health care legislation by improving prescription medication coverage and completely eliminating the doughnut hole, as well as improving access to doctors and overall quality of care.

Diane Buch and Joe Greear -- Diane Buch (pronounced "Buck") and Joe Greear, a married couple in their fifties from Georgia, were denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, and are currently unemployed. Diane has epilepsy controlled by medication, but because of the illness, she is unable to drive, a requirement for most jobs in her field as a special education teacher. This, along with the poor economy, has made finding work difficult. Joe lost his job in January 2008. His company allowed them to continue their coverage until April 2008. They did not qualify for COBRA due to the size of the company.

Diane checked on a conversion policy for her and Joe, but found the cost prohibitive at $2,600 per month. She also checked on individual policies but was denied by four companies. Her husband was able to purchase an individual policy at $440 per mo
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